Fuel control system



Nov. 25, 1952 C, Q EVERHART 2,619,285

FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed July '7, 1931 2 SHEETS- SHEET l Nov.25, l952 c. o. EVERHART 2,619,285

FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM original Filed July 7, 1951 v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2Patented Nov. 25j, 19552 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE July '7, 1931.

1949, Serial N0. 131,645

5 Claims.

1n the combustion of iiuid for heating boilers or for any other purpose,it is desirable, from an economic standpoint, to feed the ingredients ofcombustion to the burner in the proper ratio and also in the properquantity that will insure maximum efficiency of the burner. It is alsoessential that the quantity of the mixture supplied to the burner may bevaried from time to time to accommodate different varying boilerconditions while still maintaining the proper ratio of the ingredientsof the mixture. Under certain conditions it is also desirable tomaintain a substantially constant pressure in the fuel supply line andto Vary this pressure only in so far as changing boiler conditionscrea-te a demand Vfor a lesser or greater quantity of fuel.

The improved uid regulator comprising the present invention is adaptedto deliver from different sources the various ingredients of 'combustionin the proper ratio andV in the proper quantity to accommodate changingboiler conditions or to accommodate varying demands for fuel at theburner.

In carrying out the principles of the invention,

a regulating valve is disposed in each supply line 2 which conducts theingredients of 'combustion to the burner. These valves are so arrangedandassembled in anoperative unitary regulator structure that they may bejointly controlled to reduce or increase the quantity of the ingredientsof combustion supplied to the burner. lhefactor which simultaneouslycontrols the operationl of the valves is selected boiler condition.Preferably these valves are controlled by the steam pressure of theboiler at the outlet. Thus when a lload is thrown upon the boiler,requiring` consequently a greater amount of steam, the valves aresimultaneously opened to admit a greater quantity of the ingredients ofcombustion to the burner 'without destroying the proper ratio of theseingredients as they are delivered. Conversely when the load on theboiler is dropped olf, the valves are simultaneously closed to admit alesser quantity' of the ingredients of combustion to the burner' whilestill maintaining the predetermined ratio at which these ingredients aredelivered. In' this application the pressure developed by the boileratthe output has been chosen as the contro-lling' factor for opening orclosing the valves but it is to be distinctly understood that otherboiler conditionsmay be selected to accomplish this feature. Forexample, a pressure generator of the type disclosed in the patent toAndrews 1,396,239, patented November 8, 1921, for a water flow device orof the type disclosed in the patent to Veenschoten This applicationDecember 7,

2 1,759,146 patented May 20, 1930 for a feed water valve, may bridge thewater level in the boiler and this pressure generator may serve todevelop pressure for operating the valves in accordance with the waterlevel in the boiler. Under certain conditions it may be necessary thatthe supply of the ingredients of combustion to the burner may bemanually controlled according to the discretion of the operator. riowardthis end the invention contemplates the provision of a regulator forsupplying ingredients of combustion to a burner which is selectivelyoperable either by varying boiler conditions or manually. As statedbefore it is desirable that when the quantity of the ingredients ofcombustion delivered to the burner is increased or decreased, apredetermined ratio be maintained between these ingredients ofcombustion. The improved regulator is also provided with means wherebythis ratio may be varied as occasion demands so that a greater or lesserproportion of any one ingredient of cornbustion may be maintained.

In the boiler room of commercial plants and on board large steampropelled ships there is usually one operator or superintendant investedwith the authority and' duty to see that the boilers are operated underideal conditions. Other employees, including executives, frequentlyobtain notions as to how the boiler should be operated and very oftenwithout authority they attempt to make adjustment of the boilerregulating system. The present regulator is provided with means forpreventing an unauthorized person who does not possess the properadjusting tool from making adjustment to the regulator system. Thus theentire system is protected against amateur experimenters.

Other objects and advantages of the invention not at this time moreparticularly enumerated will become more readily apparent as the natureof the invention is better understood, and the same consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts shown in theaccompanying two sheets of drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved regulator;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the regulator installed in a fuelsupply system;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of an adjusting tool employed in connectionwith the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed side elevation of an adjusting mechanismemployed in connection with the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the regulator, showing the manual controlledmeans for operating the same.

In all of the above described views like characters of reference areemployed to designate lilre parts throughout.

Referring now to Figure 2 a boiler, which it is desired to maintainunder substantially even conditions of pressure, is designated at I0.This boiler is provided with a steam outlet or header I2. The regulatoris designated in its entirety at I4 and comprises a cylinder I6 having apiston I8 slidably mounted therein. The cylinder is connected by asuitable conduit 26 to the header I2 to permit fluid pressure developedin the header I2 to be admitted to the underneath side of the piston I8.The burner for the furnace (not shown) which heats the boiler I isdesignated at 22. This burner is provided with an air inlet 24 adaptedto be connected to an air supply line 26 for the introduction of air tothe burner, for admixture with the fuel. An inlet 28 is adapted to beconnected to a fuel supply line and an inlet 32 is adapted to beconnected to a fluid supply line 34 which permits the introduction of anatomizing fluid such as air or steam to the burner.

The fuel supply line 36 has interposed therein a valve 36 and the iiuidline 34 has interposed therein a valve 38. Both of these valves areoperative instrumentalities of the regulator I4. rEhe air supply line 26has interposed therein a Valve 40 of the butterfly type and this lattervalve also is an operative instrumentality of the regulator I4.

Associated with the regulator i4 is a vertically movable cam plate 42having adjustable cam members 43 and 46 thereon adapted to engageprojecting plungers 43 and 50 respectively for operating the respectivevalves 36 and 36. The cylinder I8 has associated therewith a plunger 66which engages a depending stem 52 on the plate 42 to cause movement ofthis latter plate and cause the cam members 44 and 65 to simultaneouslyengage the plungers 4S and Eil to operate the valves 36 and 38simultaneously to admit a greater o1' lesser quantity of fuel to theburner in a predetermined ratio. A second stem 54 projects upwardly fromthe plate 42 and is provided with a collar 56 having engagement with arifled stem 58, to which stein is secured a pivotal closure member 60within the casing of the valve 46. Upward movement of the plate 42rotates the ried stem and opens or closes the closure member 60 to admita greater or lesser quantity of air for admixture at the opening withthe fuel. in a predetermined ratio.

Referring now to Figure 5, it will he seen that the plate 42 is adaptedto be raised or lowered by hand. Accordingly a lever G2 is pivoted at 64inetermediate its ends. The upper edge 66 oi this lever is adapted toengage a pin 68 secured to a plate 42 so that depression of the otherend of the lever G2 will serve to raise the plate 42 for operating thevalves 36, 3S and 46 simultaneously. A pawl i6 is pivoted to the lever62 and co-operates with a ratchet plate i2 to hold the lever 62 in anydesired adjusted position. Normally when the regulator is beingautomatically controlled from the pressure developed in the header I2,the pawl remains out of engagement with the ratchet plate 'E2 as shownin Fig. 2. The above description has been given from a diagrammaticrepresentation of the device and from this description and operation ofthe regulator is readily apparent. plate 42 in one direction or theother will serve It will be seen that movement of the to admit a greateror lesser quantity of the ingredients of combustion in a predeterminedproportion to the burner as the pressure in the header I2 of the boiler6 varies. A description of the details of construction of the improvedregulator will disclose the specific operation of the regulator and willshow the manner in which the proportions of the ingredients ofcombustion admitted to the burner may be varied.

Referring now to Figure 1 the regulator is supported upon a base 74 fromwhich there projects a standard i6 to which a piston and cylinder assembly i6 is secured. This assembly comprises an open ended tubularcylinder 'i8 threaded externally at opposite ends as at 86 and 80. Apair of cup shaped cap members El' and 84 serve to close the ends of thecylinder i6. rEhe piston I8 is of the leather cup type and consists in aplate 66 to the underneath side of which is secured a leather cup 88 bymeans of a washer and bolt which projects into one end of a piston rodor plunger 94. The bolt serves to retain the piston rod or plunger 64 inposition on the piston I8. The upper end of the rod 64 is provided witha reduced portion 96 which extends through a threaded sleeve 90 which isthreaded into the cap 61 centrally thereof, The reduced portion 96 ofthe plunger 84 is freely slidable through this threaded sleeve. Thesleeve Q8 is provided with a head having apertures |32 therein foradjusting the height of the sleeve to limit the downward movement of thestem 52 and consequently limit the open position of the valve S6, 38 and46.

The cap 81 is provided with a boss I 04 which is externally threaded andreceives thereon a supporting ring |06 provided with a threaded aperturethrough which the boss |04 extends. The ring is provided With aplurality of apertures I 08, ||0, and ||2 for supporting the valves 36,38 and 40 respectively. Each of the valves 36 and 38 consists in acasing ||4 having a removable and reversible Valve seat IIG. The seat||6 is normally closed by a closure member I I8 having stems I 20 and|22. The closure member ||8 is normally maintained on its seat by meansof an adjustable spring arrangement |24 controlled by an adjustablescrew |26, However, any required adjustment of the spring arrangement I24 may only be effected by means of the adjusting tool |28, as shown inFig. 3.

The forward end of the stem |22 is engageable by one end of a slidingplunger |30 which projects from the casing. The casing I I4, is providedWith a chamber |32 communicating with the outlet and with the inlet ofthe valve. Sliding movement of the plunger I 30 inwardly of the casingwill cause the inner end of the same to engage the stem |22 and move theclosure member ||8 from its seat. When the plunger |30 is released theclosure member I I8 is urged by the action of the adjustable springmechanism |24 on to its seat to assume its normally closed position. Thevalves 36 and 38 are each held in diametrically opposed relation on thecircular supporting member |06 by means of lock nut |36.

Extending diametrically and vertically across the circular supportingmember |06 is a strap |38. Secured to this strap medially of the endsthereof is a xed guide plate |40, in which is vertically slidable theplate 42. The plate 42 has pivoted thereto cam members 44 and 46 whichare provided with straight cam surfaces |42 and |44 respectively whichare adapted to bear against the ends of the plungers |30 of the valves36 and 38 to force these plungers inwardly of their respective valvecasings as the plate 42 moves upwardly. The cam members 44 and 46 aresecured in their pivotal relation with respect to the plate 42 by meansof screws |46 similar to the adjusting screw |26, which extend throughslots in these cam members.

A pair1 of externally pivoted adjusting members |56 and |52 are securedon the plate 42 and these members are adapted to be secured in anyadjusted position by means of adjusting screws |64 similar to theadjusting screws |55. The 'adjusting members |56 and |52 are adapted toengage the inner surface of the cam members 44 and 46 and to limit theinner inwardly swinging movement of same. The adjusting members |50 and|52 may be provided with calibrations |56 cooperating with calibrations|58 in order that the cam members 44 and 46 may be accurately andscientically adjusted in accordance with good engineering practice. Byadjusting the cam members lll and 46 properly the inclination of thestraight cam surfaces |42 and |44 may be varied to maintain the properproportional pressure drop across the valves 66 and 38 to admit theingredients of combustion to the burner in a desired proportion in agreater or lesser quantity. In order to prevent -free movement of thecam members lll-l and 46 a compressed spring |66, the

convolutions of which are held in alignment by Y means of a guide rod,is inserted between the lower ends of these members.

The stem 54 which is secured to the slidable plate 42 is provided withan enlarged portion |64 through which there extends a lock bolt |66similar to the adjusting screw |26. This lock bolt engages a sleeve |66having a coined head |16. This sleeve |66 is keyed to the stem 58 and bybacking up on the lock nut |66 the sleeve |68 may be rotated manually toadjust the throw of the sleeved stem 56 to which the butterfly closure66 is secured in the valve casing 46. Upward movement of the plate 42and stem 54 and sleeve |68 will cause rotation of the rifled stem 58 toopen the butterfly closure 66 in the casing of the valve i6 While at thesame time the cam members 44 and 46 will force the stems |36 of thevalves 36 and 36 into their respective casing and open these valves.Dcwnward movement of the sliding plate 42 will cause a reverse operationof the three valves 36, 38 and 46.

It will be seen that the valves 36 and 38 may be independently adjustedwhile the valve 46 may also be adjusted independently and thus anydesired ratio of opening of the three valves may be eiected to createdifferent pressure drops across the valve openings to supply theingredients of combustion to the burner in varying proportionatequantities.

Vertical movement of the plate 42 may be effected by means of thearrangement of parts shown in Figure 5 which has previously beendescribed hereinbefore. The pin 63 is in the form of a bolt similar tothe adjusting screw |26. This bolt extends through a slot |12 in thestrap |38. A pin |74 also similar to the adjusting screw |26 has securedthereto one end of a tension spring |16 and the other end of thistension spring is secured to the pin 66 to normally urge the plate 42downwardly. The pawl 'I6 is provided with a pair of depressions |66 and|82 which cooperate with a projection or pin on a leaf spring |84 andextending through the lever |62 in contact with the pawl to hold thelatter in its operative or inoperative position. In its operativeposition the pawl 10 engages-the teeth on the ratchet plate 12' securedto the supporting member |16 'to hold the lever |62 in any adjustedposition and to hold the plate '42 at an elevation commensurate with theposition of the lever as previously described. In its inoperativeposition, with the projection on the leaf spring |84 resting in thedepression |80, the pawl does not engage the teeth on the ratchet plate12 and the operation of the regulator is automatic.

When the pressure in the header I2 of the boiler i6 is increased, thispressure is transmitted to the underneath side of the piston |B therebymoving this piston upwardly against Vthe action of the coil spring S4.The plunger 94 is moved upwardly into engagement with the stem 52 andthe plate 42 is accordingly elevated thereby operating the valves toclose the valves 36, 38 and 46 simultaneously.

On the other hand, a decrease in pressure in the header I2 will cause acorresponding decrease in pressure on the underneath side of the pistonI8 and the same will be moved downwardly under the action of the coilspring Q4 together with the plunger 64 and plate 42, thereby operatingthe valves simultaneously to admit more of the ingredients of combustionto the burner 32 'to develop more steam in the boiler |6 and again raisethe pressure in the header l2. It will be seen therefore that undernormal conditions of operation the tendency is to maintain a constantpressure in the header I2. When there is a demand Yfor steam due to anincreased load on the boiler the improved regulator causes a greaterquantity or" the ingredients of combustion in the proper proportion tobe supplied to the burner. When there is little demand for steam as forexample where the boiler is run under conditions of small load theimproved regulator will supply a lesser quantity of ingredients to theburner while steam maintains the desired proportion of supply.

The adjusting screws |26, the lock bolts |66 and |54 and the studs |46,|74 and 63 are in the form of the special adjusting screws and may beadjusted or moved only by an authorized person who is equipped with theadjusting tool shown in Fig. 3. Thus the entire regulator is protectedagainst unauthorized adjustment.

I have presented and submitted my invention, as described and shown, ina design and structure that provides an eilicient operating mechanism,however adaptations of the device to various requirements in use maynecessitate modications or changes in design or structure or both,without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The subject matter disclosed herein is identical with that submitted inthe application previously filed on July 7, 1931, Serial No. 549,134,and later abandoned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burnertherefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposedin each supply line one of said valves being of the butteriiy type andhaving a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another ofsaid valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam platehaving a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger tomove the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeveengaging said riled stem for rotating the latter and means controlled bygiven boiler conditions for moving said cam plate.

2. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler` and a burnertherefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposedin each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type andhaving a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another ofsaid valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam platehaving a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger tomove the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeveengaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled bygiven boiler conditions for moving said cam plate, and manual means formoving said cam plate.

3. 'I'he combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burnertherefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposedin each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type andhaving a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another ofsaid valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam platehaving a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger tomove the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeveengaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled bygiven boiler conditions for moving said cam plate and means for limitingthe movement of said cam plate.

4. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burnertherefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposedin each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type andhaving a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another ofsaid valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam platehaving a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger tomove the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeveengaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled bygiven boiler conditions for moving said cam plate; means for limitingthe movement of said cam plate; and means for manually moving said camplate.

5. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burnertherefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposedin each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type andhaving a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another ofsaid valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam platehaving a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger tomove the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeveengaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled bygiven boiler conditions for moving said cam plate, and means foradjusting the cam member on said cam plate.

CHARLES O. EVERHART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,282,112 Oettinger Oct. 22, 19181,833,950 Modine Dec. l, 1931 2,013,424 Rippe Sept. 3, 1935

